TLDR Apoptosis contributes to hair loss in androgenetic alopecia.
This document is a compilation of four different studies investigating the role of apoptosis (cell death) in androgenetic alopecia (AGA). The studies analyzed scalp biopsies from male cadavers with AGA and found differences in bcl-2 expression between affected and unaffected areas of the scalp, as well as differences in bcl-2 staining indices between frontal and occipital follicles. The studies suggest that apoptosis plays a role in the development of AGA, but further research is needed to fully understand the mechanism.
47 citations,
April 2000 in “The American journal of pathology” Bcl-2 overexpression protects against UVB damage but worsens hair loss from chemotherapy.
416 citations,
September 1997 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” People with hair loss have more androgen receptors and enzymes in certain follicles, with men and women showing different patterns.
122 citations,
July 1994 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” 
253 citations,
March 1994 in “Developmental dynamics” Apoptosis is essential for human skin development and forming a functional epidermis.
138 citations,
August 1985 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Minoxidil promotes hair growth in male pattern baldness.
3 citations,
July 2015 in “Biotechnic & histochemistry” Bim and Puma proteins are found in developing mouse hair follicles and are involved in more than just cell death.
2 citations,
January 2003 in “PubMed” Hair loss in men might be linked to programmed cell death.
19 citations,
June 2002 in “American Journal of Dermatopathology” Apoptosis contributes to hair loss in androgenetic alopecia.
